By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) – Eighty-five couples said, “I do,” again, during the renewal of wedding vows with the witness of the First Baptist Church at the congregation’s Pineville and LeCompte campuses, July 30. Following Pastor Stewart Holloway’s message on the seventh commandment (found in Exodus 20:14), couples stood up in unison and voiced recommitment. Some have been married a few years while others have been wedded for decades. “This was a way to highlight the importance of marriage and why it is sacred,” Holloway told the Baptist Message. “And it showed the younger people who aren’t at the stage of being married that doing it God’s way is the best way. “A strong society is built on the foundation of marriage,” he continued. “Strong marriages lead to strong families that lead to a strong society. We’ve seen the breakdown in family and that will be turned away one family at a time, one generation at a time. This was a way to show that we are committed to marriage.” Blake Fuselier and his wife, Amy, were among those who renewed their vows at FBCP. He appreciated how the event allowed them to underscore that their family is based on a commitment to Christ. “I am not … [Read more...]

Louisiana Baptists joined other students from across the state and nation to pray for their classmates and other at the 33rd annual See You At The Pole, Sept. 27. Since 1990, youngsters have gathered every fourth Wednesday in September around the school flagpole for this student-initiated, student-organized, and student-led time of prayer. … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer ALEXANDRIA, La. (LBM) – Leaders of Send Network Louisiana, a partnership between the North American Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention and the Louisiana Baptist Convention, have mapped out a God-sized vision to see His Kingdom expanded in Louisiana by one percent over the next decade. If successful, 28,841 of the 4,648,794 Louisianans could turn to Christ through 231 churches planted in the state by 2030 (based on each new church reaching 125 people with the Gospel). But to achieve this goal, an army of supporting churches and new church planters will be needed. “This is an exciting God-sized vision for Louisiana,” Send Network Louisiana Director Lane Corley told the Baptist Message. “We want to see churches assess how they can join in helping make this possible. The next 10 years will be a great time in our next chapter of church planting, and I really appreciate [Louisiana Baptist Executive Director] Steve Horn for supporting this important move in our history.” Corley, who previously served as a Louisiana Baptist church planting strategist, began a new role, fully funded by NAMB, Aug. 1. Joining him as Send Network church planting catalysts are Carlos … [Read more...]

EDITOR’S NOTE: The Baptist Message provides churches an opportunity to share with other Louisiana Baptists an upcoming revival, homecoming, new pastor, new staff member, a community outreach, or a concert in Louisiana Notables. To place your event in the paper, send your information (who, what, where, when, time) to philip@baptistmessage.com or call 318.449.4345. Please submit your information four weeks prior to the event to insure placement in the Message. ON THE MOVE Robin Alderman Dean is the new music director at Belle Park Baptist Church. Eric Zimmer is the interim pastor at Haynes Avenue Baptist Church. Scott Shirley is the new pastor at Emmanuel Baptist Church, Shreveport. Brenton, wife Lynsee, Smith is the new pastor at Pritchard Baptist Church from Ridgecrest Baptist Church. Lee Myers is the new Louisiana Baptists Youth Strategist. Scott McKenzie has accepted the call to be the Associate Pastor of discipleship & administration for First Baptist Church, Zachary from First Baptist Church, Lafayette. HOMECOMING Welcome Home Baptist Church, Dodson: Homecoming service, October 8, 10:15 a.m. Worship: Sanctuary Quartet, Pastor: Jim McKeithen. Humble Baptist Church, Elizabeth: Homecoming, … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer GLENMORA, La. (LBM) – When disaster strikes, your gifts to the Louisiana Missions Offering, named after the historical state missionary Georgia Barnette, help provide relief for those affected in Louisiana and beyond, James Irvine shared with the Baptist Message. During the last 19 years, Irvine and his Louisiana Baptist Disaster Relief shower trailer have offered a mainstay ministry of care for individuals impacted by 90 catastrophic events. Since driving the trailer to south Louisiana to his first disaster response effort only days after Hurricane Katrina impacted the area in 2005, Irvine has traveled thousands of miles across the United States immediately after the devastation of hurricanes, floods, ice storms, tornadoes and fires. Importantly, his motivation is “to give a cup of cold water in Jesus’ name,” without strings attached but in the hope that someone will ask, “Why?” That gives him the opening to share about Jesus, he said. “When they do accept Christ, it’s very rewarding because you have been successful in your mission,” Irvine told the Baptist Message. “Sometimes it gets frustrating, but you have to remember it’s not about you but your Lord and … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Baptist Message staff writer WOODWORTH, La. (LBM) -- A field at Tall Timbers Baptist Conference Center was transformed to a mini water park for 15 people with special needs during the fourth annual Champions Camp, Sept. 7-9. The campers, accompanied by 20 “buddies” and staff, displayed their best moves on the water slide and tossed suds made by a water foam cannon. Among those was Logan Singletary, a member of Calvary Baptist Church, Alexandria. “Tossing all these suds really was something that I had fun doing and it’s a reason I love coming out here to this camp,” Singletary told the Baptist Message. “I’m really glad they had this for us, and it made me smile.” The Louisiana Baptist summer camp for people with special needs matched participants with buddies who accompanied them during the event. The camp featured karaoke, an ice cream sundae party, fishing, games, a demonstration of a dog obedient to his master and worship designed for children and adults from ages 8 and up who have intellectual or development disabilities. Clint Stewart, who served as camp pastor, said the event allowed each person to realize they are a champion and loved by God. “I have come every year since this camp … [Read more...]

By Brian Blackwell, Message staff writer  PINEVILLE, La. (LBM) – Christ is in hot pursuit of those who are lost and desires all to come into a relationship with Him, Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary Professor David Allen said during the recent E4+ Preaching Conference. Citing Luke 19, Allen told a record crowd of more than 100 pastors and ministry staff and 19 pastors’ wives at First Baptist Church, Pineville, that Zacchaeus longed to see Jesus and went to great lengths to get a glimpse of Him. In the end, Zacchaeus who had stolen from the poor through his job as a tax collector encountered Jesus and his life was changed forever. “Jesus did not save Zacchaeus because Zacchaeus gave money to the poor or gave back what he extorted,” he continued. “Jesus saved Zacchaeus out of grace because all of salvation is by grace through faith, not of works lest anyone should brag about it. And he gives evidence of that salvation by opening up his pocketbook and his billfold and giving to the poor and by making right what he extorted from the people.” Allen said while many in the crowd hated Zacchaeus because he had used his position as a tax collector to steal from them, Jesus reminded the Jewish people that Zacchaeus, too, … [Read more...]